Rakes Vow

"How fascinating." Her gaze alighted on Edgar, sitting opposite. "But dear Edgar has studied that period, too. As I recall, his conclusions were different?" Her tone made the words a question. Everyone at the table held their breath.

Except Edgar, who launched into his own perspective.

To everyone's amazement, even, Patience suspected, Edith's and Edgar's, Whitticombe listened. His attitude had about it the air of gritted teeth, but he heard Edgar out, then nodded curtly. "Quite possibly."

Patience caught Gerrard's eye and fought to suppress a giggle.

Edmond, still pale and limply disheveled, chased a pea around his plate. "Actually, I was wondering when we might be heading back to the Hall."

Patience stiffened. Beside her, Gerrard straightened. They both looked at Mi

So did Edmond. "I really should get on with my drama, and there's precious little inspiration, and a great deal of distraction, here in town."

Mi

"Oh." Edmond blinked. "No cook. Ah." He subsided into silence.

Surreptitiously, Patience grimaced at Gerrard. He shook his head, then turned to speak to Henry.

Patience glanced-for the fiftieth time-at the clock.

The door opened; Masters entered, his expression stiff. Approaching Mi

From the end of the table, Patience looked her concern and her question. Mi

He cleared his throat, gathering all attention. "Some… gentlemen from Bow Street have arrived. It seems a report was lodged. They've come with a warrant to search the house."

An instant of stu

Patience stared helplessly up the table at Mi

The clangs cut through the din-and silenced the din makers. Patience raked the offenders with an irate glance. "Who? Who notified Bow Street?"

"I did." Pushing back his chair, the General stood. "Had to be done, don't y'know."

"Why?" Timms asked. "If Mi

The General flushed a choleric red. "Seemed that was the problem. Women-ladies. Too softhearted for your own good." He slid a glance Gerrard's way. "Had to be done-no sense in ducking it any longer. Not with the pearls missing, too." Regimentally stiff, the General drew himself upright. "I took it upon myself to notify the authorities. Acting on information received, don't y'know. Plain as a pikestaff it's young Debbington at fault. Search his room, and it'll all come to light."

Premonition seized Patience; she shook it off as irrational. She opened her mouth to defend Gerrard-he kicked her ankle. Hard. Sucking in a breath, she turned-and met a very straight stare.

"Let be," Gerrard whispered. "There's nothing there-let them play out their hand. Vane warned me something like this might happen. He said best to shrug and grin cynically and see what transpires."

To Patience's utter amazement, he proceeded to do just that, managing to convey an impression of patent boredom.

"By all means-search all you like." He gri

Pushing back from the table, Patience bustled to Mi

There were three of them, subtly unsavory to a man. Standing at Mi

The tallest Ru

"Indeed." Mi

"We'll start with the bedchambers, if you don't mind, ma'am."

"If you must. Masters will accompany you." Mi

"I think," Mi

Gerrard slouched, relaxed, in his chair. The others shifted and looked uncomfortable.

Patience turned on Sligo.

"I know, I know." He held up a placating hand as he reached for the door. "I'll find him and get him here." He slipped out. The door closed softly behind him.

Patience sighed and turned back to Mi

Half an hour had passed, and Patience was certain the face of the ormolu clock on the mantel was indelibly imprinted on her mind, before the door opened again.

Everyone straightened. Breaths caught.

Vane strode in.

Patience knew an instant of giddy relief. His gaze touched her, then passed on to Mi

"Tell me."

Mi

Glancing up, Vane met Patience's eyes, then he looked back at Mi

Mi

Somewhat grimly, Vane smiled. "Trust me." Mi

He turned to Patience. Something shifted in his face, in his eyes.

Patience lost her breath.

"I apologize for not arriving this morning, but something came up."

He took her hand, raised it to his lips, then changed his grip and grasped firmly; Patience felt warm strength flow into her, around her. "Anything helpful?" she asked.

Vane grimaced. "Another blank wall. Gabriel heard of our problem-he has some surprising contacts. While we learned nothing about where the pearls are, we did learn where they haven't been. To wit, pawned." Patience opened her eyes wide. Vane nodded. "It was another possibility, but we've exhausted that avenue, too. For my money, the pearls have never left Mi

Patience nodded. She opened her mouth-

The door swung open and the Ru

One glance at their triumphant expression, and Patience's premonition returned with a vengeance. Her heart stopped, chilled, then sank. Vane's grip on her fingers tightened; she curled her fingers and clung.

Carrying a small sack, the senior Ru

The baubles included Mi

"My comb!" Gleefully, Angela swooped down and plucked the gaudy trinket free.

"Dear me-there's my pincushion." Edith Swithins poked it aside.

The items were nudged apart-Timms's bracelet, the pearls and their matching earrings, Patience's bud vase. Everything was there-except-

"Only one." Agatha Chadwick looked down at the garnet drop earring she'd separated from the pile.